Active transport with a relevant diagram.

 Active Transport: A Cellular Powerhouse

Active transport is a cellular process that involves the movement of molecules against their concentration gradient, from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration. This process requires energy, often in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to overcome the natural tendency of molecules to diffuse from high to low concentration.

The Process:

 * Binding: A specific molecule binds to a carrier protein embedded in the cell membrane.

 * Energy Input: ATP provides the necessary energy, often by phosphorylating the carrier protein.

 * Conformational Change: The carrier protein undergoes a change in shape, allowing the molecule to be transported across the membrane.

 * Release: The molecule is released on the other side of the membrane, now in a region of higher concentration.

Diagram:


Key features of active transport:

 * Energy-requiring: Requires ATP or other energy sources.

 * Against concentration gradient: Moves molecules from low to high concentration.

 * Carrier proteins: Involves specific proteins embedded in the cell membrane.

 * Selective: Highly selective, only transporting specific molecules.

Examples of active transport:

 * Sodium-potassium pump: Maintains the concentration gradient of sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane in nerve and muscle cells.

 * Nutrient uptake: Cells absorb nutrients like glucose and amino acids from the extracellular environment against their concentration gradients.

 * Waste removal: Cells transport waste products, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogenous compounds, out of the cell.

Active transport is essential for various cellular functions, including maintaining cell volume, regulating intracellular pH, and signaling. It plays a crucial role in the physiology of organisms, from bacteria to humans.

 


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